DISABLED pensioner Wilma Elliot has described her 'absolute devastation' on hearing rumours of Station Road sub-Post Office's possible closure.

Wilma, 77, born and bred in Ellesmere Port, suffers from a range of debilitating conditions that she says makes the Westminster Bridge an 'impossible obstacle to scale'.

A widower of two years, Wilma said: 'I've got emphysema, osteoporosis, bronchitis and arthritis. I can't get any further than Station Road and don't know what I am going to do if it goes.

'I pay all my bills there and pick up my pension and I am not the only one, there are lots of old people down here.'

Her fighting spirit has helped mum-of-two Wilma through not only the loss of her husband John, but the ongoing round of hospital and doctors appointments for chronic illnesses. And she is now determined to turn her attention towards saving the Station Road Post Office, a service many residents describe as a lifeline for the elderly and infirm of the area.

Wilma said: 'I've had everyone sign the Station Road petition, even the insurance man who came to see me the other day.'

Wilma heaped praise on the staff of the Post Office who she now regards as friends.

She said: 'They are very, very helpful. You just couldn't ask for better, they go out of their way time and time again to help you.'

Counter clerk Yvonne Jones says Wilma has become a familiar sight at the office over the years.

Yvonne said: 'She struggles to get to us so, like lots of others, I am worried about how she will cope if we go. We are now in the situation where people are getting edgy and are saying what is the point in opening new accounts.'

Royal Mail originally said it was due to announce any plans for urban regeneration in October, at which stage it would be in a position to confirm if Station Road was up for review.

But this week Royal Mail spokesman Graham Moore said: 'There is no definite date for the announcement at the moment. It is due to be announced in October.

'Following this, as a general rule, public consultation will take place for about six weeks.

'Again, generally speaking, a decision would be made a fortnight to three weeks later, but this could take longer.'

Ellesmere Port MP Andrew Miller says people worried about the closure of the office should write to him setting out their concerns.